A supportive exoskeleton for patients with leg dysfunction

Abstract

An exoskeleton assistive device for patients with leg dysfunction, comprising a receiving plate (4) that attaches two symmetrically arranged thigh support rods (1) to the upper side of the receiving plate (4), three equally spaced thigh attachment seats (2) that are slidable between the two thigh support rods (1) and connected to a first elastic band (3) on the thigh attachment seat (2) side, a hip joint motor (5) attached to the receiving plate (4) side, the end of which is provided with a housing in which a circuit board and a battery pack are located, the output side of which is provided with a rotating shell (6), and a connecting rod is attached to the side of the rotating shell (6). The plate (7) is provided with a thigh support plate (8) that is firmly attached to the end of the connecting plate (7). A groove (801) is provided inside the thigh support plate (8).A first mounting plate (9) and a second mounting plate (10) are fixedly mounted in the groove (801). A first fastening receptacle (11) is located on the side of the first mounting plate (9), and a second fastening receptacle (12) is located on the side of the second mounting plate (10). A second elastic band is attached to the first fastening receptacle (11), and a third elastic band is attached to the second fastening receptacle (12). A foot support plate (14) is fixedly mounted at the end of the thigh support plate (8).

Description

Technical field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of medical mechanical aids and in particular a supportive exoskeleton for patients with leg dysfunction. background

[0002] Patients with leg dysfunction require timely rehabilitation training and the ability to perform activities such as walking. This necessitates the use of exoskeletons for assisted rehabilitation.

[0003] The existing patent publication No. CN217724026U, entitled "A Modular Exoskeleton for Assisted Rehabilitation," proposes, for example, that this device uses flexible connecting elements to transform the rigid contact between the exoskeleton and the patient into a flexible one. This reduces the sustained, intense compression of the patient's legs by the rigid components and improves wearing comfort. Furthermore, ventilation slots and holes on the calf and thigh enhance air circulation between the rigid components and the patient's legs, thus preventing the formation of pressure sores.

[0004] However, when using the exoskeleton described in the aforementioned patent for patients with leg dysfunction, the patient's calf cannot rotate independently and walk if the electrical signals from the leg muscles are weak. This limits the device's practicality. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a supportive exoskeleton for patients with leg dysfunction to overcome this problem. Summary of the utility model

[0005] This utility model aims to provide a supportive exoskeleton for patients with leg dysfunction. This device overcomes the prior art problem that, with weak electrical signals from the patient's leg muscles, the device cannot automatically rotate the lower leg during walking, which limits its practicality.

[0006] To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the present invention offers the following technical solutions: an exoskeleton assistive device for patients with leg dysfunction, comprising a mounting plate, two symmetrically distributed thigh support bars fixed to the top of the mounting plate, three equidistantly arranged thigh attachment seats slidably mounted between the two thigh support bars, a first elastic band on the side of the thigh attachment seat, a hip joint motor fixed to the side of the mounting plate, an organic shell at the end of the hip joint motor, a circuit board and a battery pack in the shell, a rotating shell at the output end of the hip joint motor, a connecting disc fixed to the side of the rotating shell, the connecting disc and the mounting plate being movably connected to each other.A thigh support plate is fixed to the end of the connecting disc; a groove is provided in the thigh support plate; a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate are fixed in the groove; a first mounting seat is provided on the side of the first mounting plate; a second elastic band is provided on the side of the second mounting plate; a second elastic band is provided on the first mounting receptacle; a third elastic band is provided on the second mounting receptacle; and a foot support plate is fixed to the end of the thigh support plate.

[0007] The width of the thigh support plate preferably decreases gradually from top to bottom, and the length of the second mounting base is shorter than that of the first mounting base.

[0008] The thigh support plate is preferably attached internally with reinforcing ribs, and the sides of the groove have secondary heat dissipation holes.

[0009] The thigh support plate preferably has a first mounting hole on one side surface, and the foot support plate has a second mounting hole on one side surface. The first and second mounting holes are firmly connected to each other by a first screw.

[0010] The thigh support base preferably has a first heat dissipation hole in its central section, and a sliding hole for the thigh support bar is located at each end of the thigh support base. A first fastening hole is located on either side of the sliding hole, and the inside of this first fastening hole is secured with the second screw.

[0011] Preferably, both ends of the thigh support have initial attachment holes. The ends of the first elastic band are movably guided through these initial attachment holes and then fastened to the thigh support using hook-and-loop fasteners.

[0012] The first bracket preferably has two symmetrically arranged secondary mounting holes. Third bolts are screwed between the secondary mounting holes and the first mounting plate. Both ends of the first bracket have secondary mounting holes. The ends of the second elastic band are movably guided through these secondary mounting holes and then attached to the thigh bracket by means of a hook-and-loop fastener.

[0013] Preferably, the second bracket has two symmetrically arranged third mounting holes. A fourth screw is screwed between the third mounting holes and the second mounting plate. Third mounting holes are located at both ends of the second bracket. The ends of the third elastic band are movably guided through the third mounting holes and then attached to the second bracket by means of hook-and-loop fasteners.

[0014] The side surfaces of the thigh support, the first support and the second support preferably have an arc-shaped structure. Technical effects and advantages of the present invention: 1. During use, the foot is placed on the footplate, the first elastic band is attached to the thigh, and the second and third elastic bands are attached to the calf. This completes the device's installation. The present invention offers two operating modes: The first uses the patient's muscle signals to control the rotation of the thigh support plate. This is suitable for users with relatively good muscle signals. The second operating mode uses a hand control to activate the hip joint motor, which drives the rotation of the rotating shell, connecting plate, and thigh support plate. This method electrically drives the thigh support plate. This is suitable for users with weak muscle signals. This solves the problem of existing exoskeleton devices for patients with leg dysfunction. With weak leg muscle signals, the patient cannot independently rotate their calf while walking, which limits the device's practicality. 2. The second set of heat dissipation holes improves ventilation and heat dissipation in the thigh support plate, thus preventing calf perspiration. The first set of heat dissipation holes improves ventilation and heat dissipation in the thigh support, thus preventing thigh perspiration. Furthermore, the two thigh support bars ensure sufficient airflow, promote heat dissipation and sweat wicking, and increase the device's practicality. 3. The entire device can be disassembled and reassembled, which facilitates handling and transport and increases flexibility. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. schematically shows the three-dimensional structure of a supportive exoskeleton for patients with leg dysfunction according to the present invention; Fig. schematically shows the structure of the thigh support plate according to the present invention; Fig. schematically shows the disassembled structure of the receiving plate, the hip joint motor and the connecting plate according to the present invention; Fig. schematically shows the structure of the foot support plate according to the present invention; Fig. schematically shows the structure of the receiving plate according to the present invention; Fig. schematically shows the structure of the thigh fixation according to the present invention; Fig. schematically shows the structure of the thigh support bar according to the present invention; Fig. schematically shows the first fixing structure according to the present invention; Fig. schematically shows the second fixing structure according to the present invention.

[0015] In the illustration: 1. Thigh support bar; 2. Thigh attachment seat; 201. First binding hole; 202. First heat dissipation hole; 203. Sliding hole; 204. First attachment hole; 3. First elastic band; 4. Mounting plate; 5. Hip joint motor; 6. Rotating shell; 7. Connecting plate; 8. Thigh support plate; 801. Groove; 802. Second heat dissipation hole; 9. First mounting plate; 10. Second mounting plate; 11. First attachment seat; 1101. Second binding hole; 1102. Second attachment hole; 12. Second attachment seat; 1201. Third binding hole; 1202. Third attachment hole; 13. First attachment hole; 14. Foot support plate; 15. Second attachment hole; 16. Reinforcing rib. Detailed description of the invention

[0016] The following explanations and the accompanying drawings clearly and completely describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention. The described embodiments naturally represent only a portion of the embodiments of the present invention and do not claim to be exhaustive. All further embodiments derived by persons skilled in the art without inventive step based on the embodiments of the present invention fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0017] The present invention relates to an exoskeleton assistive device for patients with leg dysfunction, as described in the Fig.The device comprises a mounting plate 4, two symmetrically distributed thigh support rods 1 fixedly attached to the top of the mounting plate 4, three thigh attachment seats 2 slidably mounted at equal intervals between the two thigh support rods 1, a first elastic band 3 on the side of the thigh attachment seat 2, a hip joint motor 5 fixedly attached to the side of the mounting plate 4, an organic shell at the end of the hip joint motor 5, a circuit board and a battery pack inside the shell, and a rotating shell 6 at the output end of the hip joint motor 5. A connecting plate 7 is fixedly attached to the side of the shell 6, and the connecting plate 7 and the mounting plate 4 are movably connected to each other. A thigh support plate 8 is fixedly provided at the end of the connecting plate 7.The thigh support plate 8 has a groove 801, and a first mounting plate 9 and a second mounting plate 10 are fixedly provided in the groove 801. A first fastening seat 11 is provided on the side of the first mounting plate 9, and a second fastening seat 12 is provided on the side of the second mounting plate 10. A second elastic band is provided at the first fastening seat 11, and a third elastic band is provided at the second fastening seat 12. A foot support plate 14 is fixedly provided at the end of the thigh support plate 8.

[0018] In applying the present invention, the foot is placed on the foot support plate 14, the first elastic band 3 is attached to the thigh, and the second and third elastic bands are attached to the calf. This completes the installation of the device. The exact installation method will be explained later. The present invention offers two modes of operation. One is to use the muscle signal from the patient's own muscles as a control basis for rotating the thigh support plate 8. This is intended for users with relatively good muscle signals. The second is to start the hip joint motor 5 via a hand control to rotate the rotating shell 6, the connecting plate 7, and the thigh support plate 8, and to electrically drive the thigh support plate 8. This is intended for users with weak muscle signals.This solves the problem that when using existing exoskeleton aids for patients with leg dysfunction, the calf cannot be driven to rotate and walk independently if the patient's leg muscle signals are weak, which limits the practicality of the device.

[0019] Furthermore, the width of the thigh support plate 8 gradually decreases from top to bottom, and the length of the second attachment receptacle 12 is shorter than that of the first attachment receptacle 11. This arrangement allows the thigh support plate 8 to adapt to the calf structure, thereby better aligning the first and second attachment receptacles 11, 12 with the calf.

[0020] Furthermore, the thigh support plate 8 is internally secured with reinforcing ribs 16, and the sides of the groove 801 are provided with secondary heat dissipation holes 802. The reinforcing ribs 16 increase the overall strength of the thigh support plate 8, while the secondary heat dissipation holes 802 improve the ventilation and heat dissipation of the thigh support plate 8, thus preventing calf perspiration.

[0021] Furthermore, a first fixing hole 13 is permanently provided on the side of the thigh support plate 8 and a second fixing hole 15 is permanently provided on the side of the foot support plate 14. The first fixing hole 13 and the second fixing hole 15 are permanently connected to each other by a first screw.

[0022] Furthermore, a first heat dissipation hole 202 is formed in the center of the thigh anchor 2. Sliding holes 203 are formed at both ends of the thigh anchor 2, through which the thigh support rod 1 can be flexibly guided. A first fastening hole 204 is located on the side of the sliding hole 203. A second bolt is screwed into the inside of the first fastening hole 204. After the thigh support rod 1 has been guided through the sliding hole 203, the second bolt fastens the thigh anchor 2 to the thigh support rod 1.

[0023] At both ends of the thigh anchor 2 there is a first fastening hole 201. The end of the first elastic band 3 is flexibly guided through the first fastening hole 201 and then connected to the thigh anchor 2.

[0024] The first anchor 11 also has two symmetrically distributed second fixing holes 1102. A third bolt is screwed between the second fixing holes 1102 and the first mounting plate 9. Second fixing holes 1101 are located at both ends of the first anchor 11. The end of the second elastic band is flexibly guided through the second fixing hole 1101 and then attached to the thigh anchor 2 with hook and loop fasteners.

[0025] The second mounting receptacle 12 has two symmetrically distributed third mounting holes 1202. A fourth screw is screwed between the third mounting hole 1202 and the second mounting plate 10. Third mounting holes 1201 are located at both ends of the second mounting receptacle 12. The end of the third rubber band can be inserted through the third mounting hole 1201 and then secured by adhesive.

[0026] Furthermore, the sides of the thigh support 2, the first support 11, and the second support 12 each have an arched structure. This arched structure allows for a better fit of the thigh support 2, the first support 11, and the second support 12 to the leg.

[0027] It is noteworthy that the entire device is detachable and removable, which facilitates handling and transport and increases flexibility.

[0028] Operating principle: During use, the foot is placed on the foot support plate 14, the first elastic band 3 is attached to the thigh, and the second and third elastic bands are attached to the calf. This completes the device's installation. The device has two operating modes: The first uses the patient's muscle tension to control the rotation of the thigh support plate 8. This function is suitable for users with relatively good muscle tone. The second operating mode activates the hip joint motor 5 via a hand control and drives the rotating housing 6, the connecting plate 7, and the thigh support plate 8. Power is supplied via the power source and is suitable for users with poor muscle tone.

[0029] The circuit diagram for the hip joint motor 5, the circuit board, and the battery pack of this device is generally known. The operating principle is based on established technology. The appropriate model should be selected according to the application. Therefore, the control and wiring of the hip joint motor 5, the circuit board, and the battery pack are not explained in detail.

[0030] It is evident to a person skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the embodiments described above and can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential features of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments are to be considered illustrative and non-limiting in every respect. The scope of the present invention is defined by the attached claims and not by the preceding description. All variations within the meaning and equivalent range of the claims are encompassed by the present invention. Reference numerals in a claim are not to be interpreted as limiting the claim in question. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] CN 217724026U

[0003]

Claims

[1] An exoskeleton assistive device for patients with leg dysfunction, comprising a mounting plate (4) which has two symmetrically arranged thigh support bars (1) attached to its upper surface, three equally spaced thigh attachment seats (2) which are slidably positioned between the two thigh support bars (1) and are connected to the thigh attachment seat (2) by a first elastic band (3), a hip joint motor (5) attached to the side of the mounting plate (4), the end of which is provided with a housing containing a circuit board and a battery pack, the output side of which is provided with a rotating shell (6) and to which a connecting rod is attached. The plate (7) is provided with a thigh support plate (8) which is fixedly attached to the end of the connecting plate (7). Inside the thigh support plate (8) is a groove (801).A first mounting plate (9) and a second mounting plate (10) are fixedly mounted in the groove (801). A first mounting receptacle (11) is located on the side of the first mounting plate (9), and a second mounting receptacle (12) is located on the side of the second mounting plate (10). A second elastic band is attached to the first mounting receptacle (11), and a third elastic band is attached to the second mounting receptacle (12). A foot support plate (14) is fixedly mounted at the end of the thigh support plate (8). [2] An exoskeleton assistive device for patients with leg dysfunction according to claim 1, characterized by , that the width of the thigh support plate (8) gradually decreases from top to bottom and the length of the second attachment receptacle (12) is shorter than the length of the first attachment receptacle (11). [3] An exoskeleton assistive device for patients with leg dysfunction according to claim 2, characterized by, that a reinforcing rib (16) is fixed in the thigh support plate (8) and a second heat dissipation opening (802) is attached laterally to the groove (801). [4] An exoskeleton assistive device for patients with leg dysfunction according to claim 3, characterized by , that a first fastening opening (13) is fixed to the side of the thigh support plate (8) and a second fastening opening (15) is fixed to the side of the foot support plate (14) and the first fastening opening (13) and the second fastening opening (15) are firmly connected to each other by a first screw. [5] An exoskeleton assistive device for patients with leg dysfunction according to claim 1, characterized by, that in the middle of the thigh mounting receptacle (2) there is a first heat dissipation hole (202), at both ends of the thigh mounting receptacle (2) there is a sliding hole (203) for the movable passage of the thigh support rod (1), on the side of the sliding hole (203) there is a first fixing hole (204) and a second screw is connected to the internal thread of the first fixing hole (204). [6] An exoskeleton assistive device for patients with leg dysfunction according to claim 5, characterized by , that at both ends of the thigh attachment receptacle (2) there is a first connecting hole (201) through which the end of the first elastic band (3) is movably guided and subsequently attached with self-adhesive glue. [7] An exoskeleton assistive device for patients with leg dysfunction according to claim 2, characterized by, that: two symmetrically distributed second mounting holes (1102) are provided inside the first mounting seat (11), a third screw is attached by means of a thread between the second mounting hole (1102) and the first mounting plate (9), and second connecting holes (1101) are provided at both ends of the first mounting seat (11), and the end of the second elastic band can be passed through the second connecting hole (1101) and then glued. [8] An exoskeleton assistive device for patients with leg dysfunction according to claim 2, characterized by, that the second mounting receptacle (12) has two symmetrically distributed third mounting holes (1202), a fourth screw is screwed between the third mounting holes (1202) and the second mounting plate (10), and third connecting holes (1201) are formed at both ends of the second mounting receptacle (12), the ends of the third rubber band can be guided through the third connecting holes (1201) and then attached to the second rubber band by gluing. [9] An exoskeleton assistive device for patients with leg dysfunction according to claim 8, characterized by , that the side surfaces of the thigh attachment receptacle (2), the first attachment receptacle (11) and the second attachment receptacle (12) have arc-shaped structures.

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